New Delhi: Two key opposition leaders have written to prime minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, urging them to withdraw the recently-notified Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, which they said cannot be accepted and if implemented would render to be the “last nail on the coffin” to convert an independent civil society (NGO) into a terrified, government-controlled echo chamber.

“These rules are an overt and systemic assault on India’s civil society, designed not to regulate, but to strangulate the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that form the backbone of our grassroots developmental and social welfare frameworks,” said Congress MP and general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal in his letter dated Thursday (June 25) addressed to prime minister Modi.

Venugopal added that levying a separate fee for every additional state or category is nothing short of an administrative toll-tax designed to discourage pan-India social work.

“The latest amendments reflect a disturbing intent to micromanage, harass, and financially cripple the voluntary sector. Forcing NGOs to select their activities from a rigid, government-mandated list and restricting their operational geography destroys the very flexibility that allows these organisations to respond to on-ground realities and emergencies,” Venugopal said in his letter.

Venugopal added that the imposition of extortionate fines up to 30% of the funds or a minimum of Rs 1 lakh for minor administrative deviations or operating outside pre-approved geographic zones is highly vindictive.

“These punitive measures will bankrupt small, grassroots organisations that lack corporate legal teams but do the heavy lifting for our nation’s most marginalised communities by destroying the religious minority institutions. Also, mandating the disclosure of social media accounts, websites, and every publication (including newspaper articles) betrays a mindset of mass surveillance,” said Venugopal.

“Furthermore, adding vague caveats that educational or cultural awareness programs must "exclude political/ideological content" is a transparent tool to silence civil society, throttle dissent, and ensure NGOs are intimidated into becoming mouthpieces for the ruling dispensation.”

'Uncertainty as to where constitutionally protected religious freedom ends'

Another opposition leader who has raised the issue is Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)) MP. In a letter dated Thursday and addressed to Union home minister Shah, Brittas said that regulation cannot become an instrument for progressively constricting the functioning of voluntary organisations, charitable institutions, educational establishments, humanitarian agencies and faith-based organisations that have, for decades, complemented the developmental efforts of the state.

“Restrictions affecting fundamental freedoms must be expressed with sufficient clarity to enable citizens and institutions to regulate their conduct with certainty," said Brittas in his letter to Shah.

"A faith-based charitable institution engaged in publishing religious literature, imparting theological education, conducting value-based instruction, organising retreats, documenting religious traditions, maintaining places of worship or rendering humanitarian assistance will now legitimately remain uncertain as to where constitutionally protected religious freedom ends and administratively proscribed "proselytisation" begins. Such ambiguity inevitably produces a chilling effect on the legitimate exercise of constitutional freedoms," he added.

The new rules require NGOs to mandatorily disclose social media accounts, websites and declare whether the association or its key functionaries has brought out any publication during the year – including any book, magazine or a newspaper article.

All associations seeking foreign funds also need to be registered or have prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. It no longer allows general permission under FCRA and any new registration will have to follow the said norms.

"A vibrant democracy requires an independent and empowered civil society, not a subjugated one. Therefore, I strongly urge you to immediately withdraw the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, and initiate a constructive dialogue with stakeholders to foster an environment of cooperation rather than coercion," said Venugopal in his letter.

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